Expo 2025 Osaka
Last July, during the Italian Pavilion’s cultural week at Expo 2025 Osaka, a 15-minute short film was presented in world premiere. Titled Sakura サクラ – Land of Symphony, the film is now entering the international festival circuit under the care of Premiere Film. Though several months have passed since its debut, the project continues to attract attention for its quiet ambition and formal clarity.
Directed by Paolo Doppieri and written by Sergio Ramazzotti, Sakura is a narrative exploration of displacement and resonance. The story follows Hitoshi, a Japanese violinist who misses his ship and finds himself unexpectedly immersed in a landscape that gradually reshapes his inner world. Alongside Chiara, a local designer, Hitoshi embarks on a journey that is both literal and symbolic, where each encounter becomes a note in a larger symphony of self-discovery.
“A narrative exploration of displacement and resonance, where each encounter becomes a note in a larger symphony of self-discovery.”
Shot entirely in anamorphic format, the film embraces a panoramic visual language that enhances its emotional depth. The cinematography favors handheld movement and natural light, creating an immersive, almost tactile experience. The aesthetic is minimal yet deliberate, with every frame serving the story’s emotional arc.
The cast features Taiyo Yamanouchi as Hitoshi and Dharma Mangia Woods as Chiara, supported by Isabella Carloni, Alfredo Sorichetti, Yukari Ishibashi, William Zhang, and Giuseppe Lorenzo Quagliano. Their performances are understated and cohesive, shaped by a preparatory process that began weeks before filming.
“A small film that chooses an intimate gaze on its characters, while remaining attentive to the visual suggestions of the landscape.”
The direction by Paolo Doppieri is marked by a restrained and story-driven approach. Every stylistic choice—framing, rhythm, pacing—is subordinated to the emotional logic of the narrative. The result is a coherent and harmonious visual experience, shaped by a collaborative process and a clear editorial vision.
Produced by Poliarte (Rainbow Group) in association with Genesis Film, with support from Marche Film Commission – Fondazione Marche Cultura, Sakura is part of the broader Metaverso Raffaello initiative, funded by Italy’s Ministry of University and Research and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its inclusion in Expo Osaka was not merely a showcase—it was a statement about the role of cinema in cross-cultural dialogue. Now, as the film prepares for its festival run, Sakura stands as a confident example of how short-form cinema can transcend borders. It doesn’t explain—it evokes. And in doing so, it invites viewers into a space where music, memory, and image converge.
Sakura at BIF&ST 2026
Paolo Doppieri’s ‘Sakura サクラ – Land of Symphony’ Selected for Competition at Bif&st International Fim Festival.
Creative Contradictions
Paolo Doppieri on filmmaking in a feature interview for Aries Comunica’s editorial series Essere di Mestiere.